The purpose of this stage is to seek views about the draft proposals before we finalise the document.

The document has been prepared taking into account earlier stages of consultation, the Leeds City Region housing growth point initiative and a review of the green belt in the district. Despite the need to plan for a significant number of new homes, including affordable homes and new land for employment only 1% of the land in the district is proposed to be removed from the green belt. 69% of the district will remain green belt.

It allows a further opportunity to comment on the recommended sites, which were drawn from those previously proposed to the Council and are now at an advanced stage of the process. However, it is not a call for additional sites nor is it necessary to repeat comments made at the previous stage (preferred options July – August 2008), or resubmit evidence. Comments and evidence received during that consultation stage will be considered along with any additional comments or evidence received during this current stage of consultation and the latest national and local planning guidance before decisions are made about the final content of the document. The document also takes into account the views expressed during the Council’s Blueprint consultation exercise carried out in January/February 2010.

The consultation draft document has been subject to a sustainability appraisal to ensure that the proposed development strategy and policies will have beneficial environmental, social or economic effects.  The sustainability appraisal report is also being issued for comment.

All comments should reach the Council by 5pm 29 September 2010. To view and comment on these documents, including interactive map links, please use `Related Links' > LDF Online Consultation, or see below.

Commenting online is now the preferred method for making comments which we would urge you to use if possible.  If you have previously made comments on the LDF you may have been pre-registered with the online consultation system, in which case please contact us for your username and password.

If you haven’t made comments previously, registration is simple by visiting the above website.  This will automatically inform you of further developments in the LDF if you provide email contact details

Otherwise complete a comments form (see `Downloads'), or email your comments to ldf@wakefield.gov.uk.

There are a number of supporting documents which are also available to view and download:

• Sites Assessment Technical Papers – including rejected sites
• Screening Report for the Appropriate Assessment - impact on Denby Grange Colliery Ponds special area of conservation
• Explanatory Leaflet.

A number of other supporting documents are also available:

• The Council has prepared, consulted on and finalised a Site Selection Methodology for the Site Specific Proposals document.  To view a copy of the methodology along with the representations received during the technical consultation in March 2009, (see 'Downloads').
  
  
• The Council has carried out an assessment of the current infrastructure across the district to see if it is capable of helping to deliver the district's needs for new housing and employment.  A copy of the Infrastructure Study is available for information (see `Downloads').
  
  
• Evidence on the need for new accommodation for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople has been prepared by the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership and by Local Government Yorkshire & Humber (LGYH).  Copies of these documents are available for information (see `Downloads').
  
  
• The Council has  undertaken a review of settlement boundaries and this is described in the Settlement Technical Paper (see `Downloads').
  
  
• The Council has also undertaken a review of the Green Belt, as part of preparing the Site Specific Proposals document. To view a copy of the Green Belt Review (see 'Downloads').
  

There will be an opportunity to speak to an officer at staffed exhibitions across the district at: 

Featherstone library, Victoria Street, Featherstone  3.00 – 7.00 Wednesday  18 August 10.00 – 12.30 Saturday 11 September	South Elmsall library, Barnsley Road, South Elmsall  3.00 – 7.00 Wednesday 25 August 10.00 – 12.30 Saturday 11 September
Hemsworth library, Market Street, Hemsworth  3.00 – 7.00 Thursday 19 August  10.00 – 12.30 Saturday 4 September	Castleford library, Carlton Street, Castleford  1.30 – 5.30 Thursday 26 August  10.30 – 12.30 Saturday 4 September
Pontefract library, Shoemarket, Pontefract  10.00 – 12.30 Saturday 21 August  3.00 – 7.00 Wednesday 8 September	Ossett library, Station Road, Ossett  10.00 – 5.30 Tuesday 31 August
Wakefield Town Hall, Wood Street, Wakefield  10.00 – 12.30 Saturday 21 August  3.00 – 7.00 Thursday 9 September	Knottingley library, Hill Top, Knottingley  2.00 - 6.00  Tuesday 7 September  10.00 – 12.30 Saturday 18 September
Normanton library, Market Street, Normanton  3.00 – 7.00 Tuesday 24 August  10.00 – 12.30 Saturday 18 September	St Swithuns Community Centre, Arncliffe Road, Eastmoor, Wakefield   10.00 – 5.00 Tuesday 7 September

Copies of the consultation and supporting documents are available to view at main Council Offices and Libraries and the Consultation Draft document and interactive maps can be explored at the LDF Portal - see `Related Links'. 

Please note this stage has been completed.